Weihnachtsmarkt

Thursday November 26th
December in the US is known for houses enveloped by lights, decorated malls, and Santa Claus everywhere. December in Germany is all about the Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market. Beginning Monday the 23rd of November and lasting until December 22nd every square in altstadt becomes a market.

Bismarckplatz

Universitätsplatz

Marktplatz and its Carousel

Karlsplatz with its ice skating rink (seen here from the castle)

And of course the castle has its own Christmas market as well, unfortunately I had forgotten to take

pictures of it (being preoccupied with the view of the town below).

Inside the shops one can find a variety of baked sweets, candy, wood carvings, clothing, jewelry, and trinkets. The markets feature your typical bratwurst and currywurst but also fire roasted salmon and steak. But the Weihnachtsmarkt is most famous for its Glühwein. And although it translates to "glowing wine" in English it doesn't glow, but is mulled and hot. Perfect for heating you up in the cold. It comes in red wine, white wine, cherry wine, and other variations as well. My favorite though was the Feuerzangenbowle, a drink made by setting a rum soaked sugarloaf on fire and letting it drip into mulled wine.

Philosophenweg

Thursday November 5th
Philossophenweg, German for Philosopher's road, is the path carved into the Heiligenberg where the philosophers, professors, and students of the university would walk and discuss whatever was on their mind.

Easy to get to from Bismarckplatz and having already been here for two months, it was past due that I took this road, and the weather yesterday was perfect so we went. From here, one can look down onto the Neckar and the Altstadt. It does not take long to figure out why it was named philosopher's road. This road is great place to walk (or jog) and think.

Once you walk passed the old town you take more notice of the mountainous geography, especially in the fall when the leaves turn color.